Chance Lee Kimbro Obituary, Death: One person killed in three-vehicle crash on I-40 Saturday night.
Chance Lee Kimbro Obituary, Death – A tragic three-vehicle crash on Interstate 40 in Nashville Saturday night resulted in the death of a 17-year-old driver, identified by authorities as Chance Lee Kimbro. The collision occurred just before 10:30 p.m. in the westbound lanes near Spence Lane, and police have since provided details about the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.
According to police, Kimbro was behind the wheel of a 2015 Ford Fusion that had been reported stolen earlier in the day. He was driving the vehicle westbound on I-40 when he crashed into the back of a semi-truck. The impact of the collision caused the Fusion to spin out of control, ultimately ejecting Kimbro from the car. Tragically, as he lay on the roadway, he was hit by a third vehicle that was also traveling westbound. This second impact caused fatal injuries, and Kimbro was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation revealed that just before the crash, Kimbro was allegedly driving at a high rate of speed and weaving in and out of traffic. Witnesses told officers that the Fusion was moving erratically, changing lanes without signaling and exhibiting behavior consistent with reckless driving. Police say that although the teen was driving dangerously, there was no evidence of impairment from drugs or alcohol.
The third vehicle that struck Kimbro remained at the scene following the incident and cooperated with law enforcement. However, another individual in the Fusion — a passenger whose identity remains unknown — fled the scene on foot. Police are currently working to identify and locate that individual, who may be a key witness in the ongoing investigation.
Officials also confirmed that the Ford Fusion Kimbro was driving had been listed as stolen in a report filed earlier on Saturday. How Kimbro came into possession of the vehicle remains under investigation, and police are looking into the events leading up to the crash to determine if any additional charges may be warranted against other individuals.
The semi-truck driver involved in the initial collision was not reported to have sustained any injuries and also stayed on site to assist authorities. The third driver, who struck Kimbro after he was ejected, was understandably shaken but physically unharmed. Law enforcement said they are not expected to face any charges, as the crash happened under sudden and unavoidable circumstances.
As part of the investigation, authorities closed down a portion of westbound I-40 for several hours Saturday night and into early Sunday morning to collect evidence, process the scene, and remove the damaged vehicles. Traffic was diverted to alternate routes while law enforcement worked to reconstruct the series of events that led to the tragic accident.
The crash is yet another reminder of the dangers of high-speed driving and the serious consequences of vehicle theft, especially when minors are involved. Authorities stressed the importance of teen driver education and the need for accountability when it comes to stolen property.
Chance Lee Kimbro’s family has been notified of the fatal incident, and no public statements have yet been made. It remains unclear if the teen had a prior driving history or if he had been involved in any previous encounters with law enforcement. The details surrounding his possession of the stolen car may reveal more about his actions leading up to the crash.
Metro Nashville Police continue to investigate the collision. They are urging anyone who witnessed the crash or who has information about the unidentified passenger who fled the scene to come forward. Information could prove vital in completing the full picture of what occurred that night.
In the meantime, the community is left grappling with yet another fatal accident on a major interstate. The case serves as a sobering example of how quickly a reckless decision can lead to irreversible consequences — not just for those directly involved but for their families, friends, and the broader public.
The crash remains under active investigation by the Metro Nashville Police Department’s fatal crash team. Further updates are expected as authorities track down the unidentified passenger and review surveillance footage and additional witness statements to complete their report.
This incident underscores the importance of responsible driving, especially among young drivers, and raises questions about how stolen vehicles are accessed by minors and what preventative steps can be taken in the future to avoid similar tragedies.
